Salzburgite is a rare sulfosalt mineral primarily found in hydrothermal veins within the Austrian Alps. It typically appears as fine, metallic, needle-like crystals or fibrous masses, often closely associated with other lead-bismuth sulfosalts.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareAikinite-Bismutinite Group family

Salzburgite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this salzburgite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch salzburgite with a known reference. Salzburgite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Salzburgite leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Salzburgite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: lead-gray, tin-white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous aggregates, bladed crystals.

Often confused with

Salzburgite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Aikinite

Mohs 2-2.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Salzburgite leaves black, Aikinite leaves lead-gray.

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Salzburgite leaves black, Bournonite leaves steel-gray.

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Often found alongside salzburgite

Minerals reported to co-occur with salzburgite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CuSbPbBiS₃
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 6.87 g/cm³
Colors: Lead-gray Tin-white
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Acicular or Fibrous Aggregates, Bladed Crystals
Cleavage: None Reported
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find salzburgite

Classic worldwide localities

Salzburg, Austria
Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where salzburgite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or fibrous aggregates, bladed crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify salzburgite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is black. Common colors include lead-gray, tin-white.

Where is salzburgite found?+

Notable localities include Salzburg, Austria; Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia.

How much is salzburgite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is salzburgite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains lead, copper, bismuth, and antimony; handle with care and wash hands thoroughly after contact. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like salzburgite?+

Salzburgite is most often confused with Aikinite, Bournonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with salzburgite?+

Salzburgite commonly co-occurs with Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Galena, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does salzburgite form in?+

Salzburgite typically forms in hydrothermal veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is salzburgite used for?+

Salzburgite is used in collector.

Find salzburgite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.